Garden
State Horse Show Remembers Dr. Robert C. Rost With Donation To Branchville
Fire House
AUGUSTA,
NJApril 15, 2003 In addition to their regular contribution
to Centenary College and its scholarship fund, this year The Garden
State Horse Show, held April 30 May 4 at the Sussex County
Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, will also be making a donation to the
Branchville Hose Company #1 in memory of Dr. Robert C. Rost.
Dr.
Rost, a long time resident of Branchville and a member of the Branchville
Volunteer Fire Company from 1959 to 1972, was an integral part of
the Garden State family of judges and course designers.
Rost, one of the first professional course designers in the United
States, was also influential in the use of metal jump cups, wing
standards, measured distances, and electric timers. His absence
will be sorely missed by everyone at the Garden State Horse Show.
What
many people in the horse community may not have known about Dr.
Rost was his participation in the volunteer fire company, a relationship
that was strong in the early years. In the later years his veterinary
practice grew and kept him answering calls while the horse shows
often drew him to different parts of the country.
When
Rost became a member in 1959 The Branchville Hose Company #1 boasted
about 25 members was already a strong presence in the town. The
Company was organized on January 14, 1910 and the first piece of
motorized equipment was a fire truck purchased in 1924. That truck
currently resides in the fire house as a part of the Companys
history and awaits the necessary funds for restoration.
The
original modern one-bay firehouse was built in 1938
in the center of town, but as the area grew and the company slowly
acquired more trucks, they outgrew their house and built a two-bay
station house at their current location on the other side of town.
The company now has five trucks and 35 members ranging in age from
18 to 83.
Joe
Barthel, a member since 1957 remembers when Dr. Rost was a part
of the company. He said, He was a good fireman. He was a strong
member and active in the early years. He was a go-getter. If there
was a fire he wanted to get in there.
It
was during that time the company would see about 20 calls a year.
Today, the company sees around 100 calls in a territory covering
the small town of Branchville and parts of Frankford Township.
Another
member, Allen Wood, 83, also remembers working with Dr. Rost. He
recalled a hay fire at the Tanis property on Route 206 that Dr.
Rost drove the pumper to. He also remembers Dr. Rost manning the
truck at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. Wood was born in
Branchville and has lived there except for the four years he served
in WWII. He is proud to say his father was also a member of the
fire company and his son continues the family tradition. Wood will
have dedicated fifty years to the company this year.
Without
volunteers like Joe Barthel, Allen Wood, and Dr. Robert Rost the
Branchville Hose Company #1 would not have seen the progress it
has over the years and could not have become an important part of
those living people living in the community.
The
Company obtains some funding from the town but relies heavily on
contributions and fund raising. The Garden State Horse Show is proud
to show its support of the Fire Company and remembers Dr. Rost on
this 52nd year of showing.
The
Garden State Horse Show will return April 30 May 4, 2003
at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ. For more information
on the Garden State Horse Show call (508) 698-6810.
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